The Pentatonic Scale 

Just wanted to let you know this video is still giving new guitarists huge breakthroughs 4 years later!!! Thanks!!!

no one else has broken it down like this. you, my friend, are a great teacher. thank you.

Your ability to understand where a person who doesn’t know music theory might struggle is unparalleled. You’re meant for this stuff man! 💯

The editing is so unique. Made so perfectly for new guitarists. I wish people would do this style more often

anyone else notice how he went in and made his fingers transparent so we could see the neck better? great work/

Guys we've found him, that person who can make us understand how pentatonics work

I actually have goosebumps. I've "played" self taught guitar for close to 20 years on and off. I was always a rhythm player because I just couldn't comprehend the traditional musical education, but this taught me so much in 7 minutes and I'm excited to try it and continue my actual education in learning how to play this damn thing

This is truly the only channel where every single second is of complete clarity and value. I have not seen such teaching skills anywhere on RU-vid and you have officially cured my fears in approaching guitar theory. Thank you for being on RU-vid 🙏

Dude is so damn chill.... “there we go, that was fun. Let’s do another one”. Like the young Bob Ross of guitars.

Never was 7minutes and 32seconds so productive in my life :D

All these guitarist on YT struggling with theory that theory this just to explain pentatonic while this guy be making 7 min and 34 seconds vid and helped 1.4 mil people just like that. Such a great man👍🏻

Those solos of his are just so smooth. They make you want to knuckle down and learn this stuff. Thanks Scott.

You've released 10 years of frustration on me wanting to learn how to start soloing. Best teacher ever. Thank you!9

holy shit, I just went from not ever soloing to absolutely shredding on a backing track, thank you my dude

I've been playing for years, learned pro level songs, and you are the only person who has been able to make pentatonic scales make sense to me, thank you

This guy is god. Over 2 decades with guitars, lessons, books...etc. This guy explains the pentonic scale better than all combined. My brain just exploded.

"So if I put my pinky here" - Boom ! That's all I needed. Thanks dude, awesome explanation.

Finally, someone who's able explain the Pentatonic Scale the way every average human being could understand. Thanks a lot Scott. I'm sure you've touched the lives of so many aspiring musicians through this tutorial. More power!

WOW! ..... I've been trying to understand this for soooo many years. Watching other tutors has not helped, but now I'm finally getting to understand scales and how it works with playing lead. What an amazing teacher. THANK YOU.

These are by far the best tutoring videos on RU-vid, hands down. There are other guys who are fun and informative but no one has done more for my playing than Scott. Thank you man for all your generosity and time, I absolutely cannot thank you enough. You are a true scholar and artist.

This is the most valuable guitar lesson I have ever seen in my life - and I'm 66 years old. You are an answer to my prayers Scott. I'll never be able to thank you enough.

That was one of the most useful, understandable lessons I've come across. I couldn't make sense of major and minor keys until you explained it. Fantastic. Thank you.

Music theory stuff is tough to wrap your head around, and I struggle with many videos because I feel like they are not clear enough. How you explain things and especially how you visually emphasize them is great and makes it way easier to follow and understand the concepts. Thank you so much for the videos 👍

Omg this guy in two videos has turned more lights on for me than dozens of others. Thank man . Subscribed

You nailed it, so much better than other tutorials with a lot of BS.

Have been practicing pentatonic for years without understanding it. Now you showed me its meaning. Suddenly able to solo with the jam track. Tears almost came out from my eyes. Can’t thank you enough.

I know I'm 6 years late but this was an eye opener for me. I wish I learned this when I had guitar lessons back in the day. Would've made it so much easier and more fun. Best guitar lesson video I've seen yet!

I'm 44, and decided this past January to learn the guitar again after trying to when I was 20. This video has been extremely helpful. Thank you!

When I imagine what a guitar tutorial is like in my head, THIS is a perfect demonstration of that, explained fully, clearly, with no time wasted at all. I watched the whole thing and no questions were asked. Subscribed at first glance!

Dude, guitar teachers have tried to explain this to me for years, but you just showed it in a way so clearly I actually got it! The way you use technology, overlays, PDFs and charts is brilliant. Why isn’t everyone teaching this way? I will be watching all your videos and sending you money. Where have you been all my life!?

Scott, this is the best pentatonic explanation I’ve ever listened to and I’ve been playing rythm chords for years. Thanks man!

you have no idea how thankful i am for this video MY EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED

Bro you literally just changed my life with the tip at 3:00. I never thought you could use the minor pentatonic over a major progression, even though I knew they shared the same notes. I guess I just never thought about it. Today for the first time ever, I was able to meaningfully improvise over a jam track. Thank you so much!

Holy moly! I have never understood guitar until now. I have been trying for 6 years and no one has been able to break it down and make it make sense like you just did in 7 minutes. Well done. Thank you

You are total guitar teaching genius!!! So many thanks and so much gratitude!!! The light bulb finally went on for me! I’ve been practicing for 14 months and so much of the guitar theory I’ve been learning is all coming together with your videos!! So thank you 🙏🏻 🎉😊

This guy descended like an angel of 'make things easy'... It was so struggling with understanding the pentatonic scale and solo playing secrets... Thank you so very much...

I’ve been playing guitar for 20 years but I just couldn’t wrap my head around scales. This video just broke the dam holding me back. You are awesome!

I am 64 years old and I used to play lead guitar in many bands but I never learned the pentatonic scales! My next door neighbor told me about the pentatonic scales when I was 16 but he did not tell me what it meant!! You are the first person out of all the videos I have watched on how to play the pentatonic scale that allowed me to see what is being played. They would go fast and play it and not show how!! Thank you very much for being the first person in my life to show me in a way I could really see what is played. I became a really good lead player but memorized different Hendrix licks and basically played box style leads!! I always felt handicapped though when I would hear other guitarists play the scales and sound so good. My playing took longer to make it sound really good because of lacking the pentatonic scale. At 64 I can still play fast clean leads but now a whole new spectrum can be implemented!! Thanks again!! If any one wants to see me play my RU-vid video is keebonk’s shower curtain jam. I titled it that because I recorded the video in my bathroom. Only place I could be alone to do it!!

This is literally as simple as you can make it. You made it so crazy simple and it's crazy how hard it can be for many youtubers to "simplify" things to this easy of an instruction. It's quite literally 1. If you wanna play an Aminor scale start with your pointer finger at the a key 2. If you wanna play an A major start with your pinky at the A key. After that all you have to do is learn the scales and how they move around on the fretboard. Insane.

I absolutely love your style of teaching! You are so natural and so clear in your teaching. Thank-you!

Just discovered this channel and am so glad I did. I've read or watched so many lessons over the years on all the basic music theory for guitar concepts, but always struggled with some and struggled to put it together. Somehow the way this guy explains it just makes sense. I got more from the handful of lessons here than I got from dozens of others. Really excellent. Natural teacher, well thought out and well produced.

This guy deserves so much more appreciation than he has

I just started playing guitar and Ive been trying to play songs by ear. You just absolutely blew my mind with how simple this is and I can't wait to keep using it and learning more. Thank you!

no cause you're actually insane. today was a really sad day for my practice and you're like universe sent because out of the whole month, it's only today that i feel like i've learnt something that got in my head and is also so fun.

Here we go again! I spent an hour last night watching a ton of videos trying to learn about key and what it all means. I came out of it mostly more confused and definitely more frustrated. In walks Scott and 3 minutes and 30 seconds into a video on the pentatonic scale the lights pop on and I finally get something about keys that never clicked before. Of course, the pentatonic scale also makes way more sense and feels much more practical now, too! I've now watched two of Scott's videos and in a matter of minutes have learned more than hours and hours of other guitar videos and books. Thanks Scott! Can't wait to watch the next one! Let me add: the split camera views, text, and graphics are a HUGE help for me, being a visual learner and beginner. It's obvious you know something about learning styles, given that you are crushing verbal, written, and visualized in one simple video. I know that can't be easy or fast to do but I'm so grateful you have been able to do it so far. Thanks!

This guy has officially done what I want to do in life. Make an impact on people’s lives. This video is the key to making great guitar players and im excited to see how they’ll turn out. Including me!

I love how you cut to the chase and say what my ears want to hear. Not to mention how you master the art, science, and technology of presentation. Thank you.

Gotta say, this tutorial is amazingly easy to follow and understand. The visualisation is great in helping to learn and put things into context. I've come from another tutorial which was head scratching but this is much simpler to understand the basics.

don't know what else to say, best lesson on RU-vid if you ask me, after seeing tons of high sub number channels, no one beats SPJ......you are the best, man!

I've been picking these chords for years but it never sounded right when I would strum in a chord. Bingo Scott, you just showed me what I had misunderstood. I didn't realize the 1st finger was a Minor Chord indicator, and the 4th a Major. Sweet, and I was able to play along with you in all the different keys at the end. You have made my day. Thank you so much.

The beauty of "if you understand it enough, can't explain it simple enough" so many dont understand.... Thank you so much

One of the best videos I've come across for solo jam sessions as a beginner. Thank you so much for the clarity and the way you edit

Oh My! i knew this pentatonic and were practicing it for 2 month from the first day i bought my PRS. But i did not know how to use it. Yesterday i was watching this video and thinking about a little jam session in G major. And today i tried it... My wife was stunned and shocked that i could play a bluesy melodies after only 2 month of guitar playing! Thank you! now i can feel like a guitarist! Sorry for my English. Hugs from Russia!

useful? this was the best lesson i've ever watched. it has changed my perspective. thank you!

Man, your guitar videos are the most comprehensive, simple, and approachable lessons on RU-vid. Thank you so much.

I've been a guitar player since 7 and my first guitar teacher was sick and old British guy teaching me judar priest, led Zeppelin, tommy Emmanuel, and ever since he retired I've just winged it not knowing what I am doing. I have never found any guitar teachers who can teach the stuff so quickly and understandable so it just translates to my guitar brain right away. I will definitely be going through your channel

when he did that first change of key I literally screamed, it all makes sense now, great lesson!

"I hope you found this useful" I sure as hell did. Thanks.

You’re awsome, I’ve mastered finger style through tab but never understood how keys, or pentatonic scales worked until you, your a life saver man, honestly. ROCK ON! 🎸

I played on and off for 15 years and have tried to learn how to solo for the longest time but got nowhere. This video literally was a game changer for me, you just made it SOO SIMPLE i can't believe i never understood it until now. I can't thank you enough. You're amazing.

2 years late but in 7 minutes this man has taught me what 15 years of having a backround in music could not

Best lessons ever seen - you combine and explain all in the way I've been looking for so long! Plus the fretboard and notes display is awesome. Thanks fo that.

Your vibe is amazing and just general demeanour make you a great teacher. So relaxed

Dude your teaching style is so good! From the screen setup with all the info to showing the scale in action with the jam tracks. Makes it very clear and easy to implement. Appreciate it :)

WOW, this was the BEST explanation of scales I’ve come across.

Finally! After going through the whole of RU-vid and watching almost all these guitar scale explanations/tutorials. I finally find the video that helps me immediately! This really helped so much. Really appreciate it!

I have watched many video's on RU-vid and this is the first one that explained where I should start my solo from when playing over major chords, it has opened up a new chapter in my playing thanks from the UK.

beyond helpful, every other video i’ve seen on this has only ever “taught” me the shape and that it’s good for solos. nothing more. tysm

This is the most useful guitar tutorial I've ever seen wow

I’m very impressed with your teaching skills. I’m 57 years old, have had quite a few teachers and watched a ton of RU-vid videos on the pentatonic scale. This is the very first tine the pentatonic has ever made since to me especially when you explained it sharing the same notes. You have won me over!!!

your videos are so helpful! you're so calm, understandable and visual. this is also the best video i've seen on the pentatonic scale. thank you

As said below - " no one else has broken it down like this. you, my friend, are a great teacher. thank you."

I am a mostly a self taught musician and felt like I was hitting a wall with guitar playing and expanding. Thank you for opening the other possibilities and getting me excited to play again!

After years of playing. I wish I watched this before; this makes so much sense. Your a star

Where were you when I started learning? I've watched 2 of your videos and understood more of why I was doing scales and how to combine them. What a great teacher.

I have been watching scale and theory videos for a year...and it has went over my head for the most part..you teach like a teacher and not a know it all guitarist..Thank You i got it !!😊

Obviously this guy didn't get the memo from those who've made understanding the Pentatonic scale seem like something reserved for the Special Few. Thank you for this simple lesson! And, if The Special Few catch up to you, and you need a place to hide out, let me know!

I have to post. I’ve been self teaching guitar for ages. Back in my teens during nu metal. And just picked it up again last year. Always played off tabs. This video, in 7 minutes, made more sense to me about scales than I’ve ever seen. I understand it now. Thank you for this.

Really well explained. The visualisation with the fretboard overlay is very helpful for understanding the concept!

I’ve watched several videos but yours gave me the “aha!” Moment. Thank you much!

Scott just......just thank you so much man. As a visual learner this is exactly what I needed.

been playing guitar for 14 years. i never understood this. i finally did. why did no one ever say this? my god, bless you.

Glad I found this video !! Perfect blend of straight to showing and playing, every other Chanel talks for an hour or over does it.

Man that was the greatest and coolest way I've seen someone break down the pentatonic scale it really helped a lot

OMG. I just subbed based on this video. I'm 56 years old and have owned guitars just because I like to buy nice instruments and pretend that I can play them better than 3 chords. With this Covid-19 $#it going on, I'm re-dedicating myself to practicing guitar. I've been trying to learn all 5 Pentatonic shapes in every key but this just made so much sense to me. Thanks a ton!

Great video, thank you. I've been playing for 19 years and never really explored the theory of this. You've made it look so simple

Actual insane how your explanation made me understand something that hundreds couldn't. I love you.

This content is great. I find the way you explain things extremely straight forward and very easy to digest. The topics you are covering right now are exactly what I am looking for to push my playing to the next level, great videos and editing and entertaining as well!

Thank you for taking the time to clearly communicate and display the scale with tablature and closeup of the fret while playing and posting it for us. You are a true gentleman.

I found this very useful, and you explain things in an understandable way, where other instructors are more concerned with impressing you with their slick speed, but not giving you you any help at all. They don’t further your understanding at all, so they are useless, but you are very helpful and I am a faithful subscriber, so thank you very kindly!!!

I’ve been playing for 30 years. But your lessons are the best I’ve seen. Simple basic and effective! Starting with guitar, start here!

Extraordinary. What a clear, cogent and beautifully-illustrated explanation. Brilliant, thank you! 🙂

This was great on filling in some gaps I had with the pentatonic scale. I knew the shape of it, but not how to move it around. I agree with the other comments as well - great editing and I like the way you explain things. Great work, keep it up!

I know this is an old video, but I can appreciate the amount of editing done to this to deliver the message just perfectly for people like me.

Crazy how he provides this info to us entirely free. Doesn’t make us pay for a course even with the quality of the video and a lot of people will take it for granted.

I have watched so many videos about pentatonic scale and this is the very first one that was simple enough to tell me what I need to know. Thank you!

The best instruction I have seen or heard ever. I took years figuring this out on my own, mostly by trial and error.

Maaan, you are THE KING of explaining things in plain English without any BS and making perfect visuals that go with the explanation. Since SPJ never asks for it I'll do it instead - please don't forget to like the video AND subscribe as your appreciation for the effort! Cheers! Keep up the good stuff

Your tutorials are fantastic. Some of the best I’ve seen. Clear, understandable, and presented so well. Thanks.

This. This is what I needed to hear. I'm now one step closer to understanding. Thank you.